Flare launching device



April 23, 1968 R. MAINHARDT ETAL 3,378,944

FLARE LAUNCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 15, 1966 t 1 VII 0 5H 1 A! N Ii INVENTORS E- 5/7 1, 40 BY mild/2 2;; A)

t f x 7 V arramvz/pf United States Patent 3,378,944 FLARE LAUNCHING DEVICE Robert Mainhardt, Callearroyo Diablo, and Edward F.

Lamp, Walnut Creek, Calif., assignors to MB Associates, a corporation of California Filed Nov. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 594,504 6 Claims. (Cl. 42-1) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fiare launching device is so constructed to receive either the fiare projectile or a firing pin striking means within the launching tube so arranged as to have the retaining finger for the projectile also retain the firing pin striking means within the launching tube.

The flare device of the present invention is employed for launching a self-propelled projectile of the rocket type. Such a projectile is described and claimed in the application of Arthur T. Biehl and Robert Mainhardt, Ser. No. 560,739, filed June 27, 1966 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The projectile has a cap on the end which is struck by a firing pin to ignite the propellant charge and upon the building up of a sutficient pressure to overcome a hold-down spring the projectile will leave the device and will travel in a true course or trajectory by the gyratory motion thereof produced by the exhausting gases.

The device embodies a launching tube having a slot in the side wall for the reception of the hold-down spring which is swung into the slot after the projectile has been placed within the launching tube to engage the end thereof. A firing pin is provided in the bottom end of the launching tube having a retracting spring which retains the striking end out of engagement with the cap when the projectile is placed within the tube. A second tube is threaded onto the bottom end of the launching tube having a spring pressed plunger therein with a pin containing an actuating knob threaded thereon when extending through a slot in the tube. When the knob is released the plunger will go forwardly striking the firing pin of the launching tube which will strike the cap of the projectile and produce the launching thereof. A bayonet slot communicates with the pin slot which receives the pin and retains the plunger in safety position. When not in use, the second tube telescopes within the launching tube and is retained therein by the hold-down spring when moved into the slots in the tubes. This provides a very compact launching device for carrying and storing when not in use.

Accordingly, the main objects of the invention are: to provide a launching tube with a firing pin and a striking device which nests within the launching tube when not in use; to provide a launching tube with a slot in its wall and a fiat spring which may be swung into and out of the slot for permitting a projectile to be inserted therein and be retained thereby; to provide a launching tube with a spring pressed firing pin which is retained out of contact with the cap of a retained projectile; to provide a thread on the end of the launching tube engageable by the thread of the striking tube which has a spring pressed plunger therein aligned with the firing pin of the launching tube, and in general, to provide a launching device for a self-propelled projectile which is simple in construction, positive in operation and economical of manufacture.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will be specifically pointed out or will become apparent when referring, for a better understanding of the invention, to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

3,378,944 Patented Apr. 23, 1968 FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation of a projectile launching device embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section view of the device illlustrated in FIG. 1, taken on line 22 thereof with a portion in elevation and with a projectile in position to be fired;

FIG. 3 is a broken view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, shown after the projectile had been fired;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, with parts in telescoped relation;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, taken on line 55 thereof, and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4, taken on the line 6-6 thereof.

Referring to the figures, a launching tube 10 has a thin wall section" 11 at the launching end and a thicker wall section 12 at the projectile retaining end which has a flat side 13. The flat side terminates at a slot 14 at the base of the launching tube section 11 in which the end 15 of a flat spring strip 16 is urged by a wire spring 17. The fiat spring strip 16 is pivoted on a shoulder portion 18 of a spring retainer 19 which also has a shoulder portion 21 about which a loop of the wire spring 17 is secured. The retainer is secured to the tube section 12 by a screw 20. An extension 23 of the loop of the spring 17 has a downwardly extending end portion 24 which is received within an aperture in the wall of the launching tube section 12 with the opposite end extending through an aperture in the end 15 of the spring strip 16. With the ends of the spring 17 retained in this manner, the spring strip 16 can be swung out of the slot 14 to permit a projectile 9 to be inserted into the tube section 12. Thereafter the end 15 of the spring strip 16 will be biased into the slot 14 in engagement with the end of the projectile 9 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The end of the tube section 12 has an internal thread in which a thread 26 on a firing pin housing 27 is threaded and locked in position by a pin 28 extending through the wall of the section 12 and the body of the housing 27. The housing 27 has a central aperture 29 for a firing pin 31 containing a striking end 32 and an enlarged body 33 from which an end 34 extends. The aperture 29 is enlarged at 35 to receive the body 33 and a spring 36 urges the striking end 32 inwardly of a sleeve extension 37 on the forward end of the housing 27. The opposite end of the housing has a threaded extension 38 and an internal annular slot 42 in which a locking ring 41 is received for retaining the body 33 within the housing.

A firing pin striking device 43 has a tube 44 of a diameter to telescope within the launching tube 10. The tube 44 has an internal thread 45 on one end which mates with the thread of the extension 38 and is disposed in axial extension of the launching tube when secured thereon, as clearly illustrated in the figures. The tube 44 has a plunger 46 in the forward end and a spring 47 in the rearward end in engagement with a threaded cap 40 through which a locking pin 48 extends. A swivel ring 49 is secured in a central aperture in the cap 49. The forward end of the tube 44 has a threaded washer 51 secured on the thread 45 and adjusted therein to mate with the end of the threaded extension 38 when abutting an annular flange 52 of the housing 27. The washer 51 is locked in position by punched indentation 52 in the wall of the tube 44. The washer has a cross-slot 53 in the outer face to receive the end of a screw driver to permit the insertion and adjustment thereof. The plunger 46 has a threaded pin 54 screwed into a threaded aperture provided therethrough, the pin having an operating knob 55 on the outer end. The pin extends through a slot 60 in the wall of the tube 44 with which a bayonet slot 50 communicates.

A slot 56 is provided in the end of the launching tube section 11 for the reception of the knob 55 when the firing pin striking device 43 is telescoped within thelauncher tube as illustrated in FIG. 4. The end 15 of the 'spring strip 16 is first swung out of the slot 14 to permit the insertion of the device 43 and thereafter is swung back into the slot 14 and into a notch 57 in the Wall of the tube 44 to lock it within the tube and prevent accidental separation thereof. Openings 58 are provided through the wall of the launching tube section 12 adjacent to the striking pin end 32 for the release of the gases which escape from the projectile end upon the ignition of the propellant charge and while force is being built up to overcome the tension in the spring strips 16.

In operation when it is desired to fire a flare, the firing pin striking device is removed from the launching tube 10, after the end 15 of the spring strip 16 has been moved therefrom and from the slot 14, and is threaded upon the extension 38 of the housing 27. The pin 54 is disposed within the bayonet slot 50 to retain the plunger in safety position. The end 15 of the spring strip 16 is again swung from the slot 14 and a projectile 9 is inserted in the launching tube 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The end 15 is released so that the spring 17 will return the end within the slot 14 over the end of the projectile. The launching tube 10 is then directed toward the zenith or to whatever angle thereto is desired and the knob 55 is moved downwardly out of the bayonet slot 50 into the slot 60 and released. The end 59 of the plunger 46 will then pass through the washer 51 and drive the firing pin 31 forwardly to have the striking end 32 engage the cap of the projectile and cause the igniting of the propellant charge. As force builds up in the ejected gases, pressure will be exerted by the projectile 9 to deflect the end 15 of the spring strip 16 outwardly and permit the projectile to pass thereby as it proceeds to the end of the launching tube 10. The projectile will be rotated about its axis by the angular position of the end nozzles through which the gas escapes. This will maintain the projectile on a true trajectory on the axis of the launcher tube in the direction in which it was pointed. Depending upon the propellant charge, the projectiOn will travel many hundred feet into the air and will burst after the firing train has timed the point in flight where the flare is to be visible. Any number of th flares may be fired in this manner and thereafter the firing pin striking device 43 may be removed and reinserted within the launching tube 10.

What is claimed is:

1. In a projectile launching device, a launching tube having a firing pin, a firing pin striking means in extension of said tube, a spring pressed plunger in the striking means, means on the plunger by which it is retracted, said launching tube having a slot through the wall, and a spring finger movable within the slot to extend over the end of the projectile within the launching tube.

2. In a projectile launching device as recited in claim 1, wherein the spring finger is pivotally mounted on the launching tube, and spring means in engagement with the spring finger for urging it toward the slot.

3. In projectile launching device as recited in claim 1, wherein the firing pin striking means has a notch in position to be engaged by the spring finger when the striking means is telescoped within the launching tube for securing the striking means therein.

4. In a projectile launching device, a launching tube having a firing pin at one end, a firing pin striking device telescoped within the launching tube in carrying position therewith, said launching tube having a slot in its side, and a spring finger pivoted on the launching tube for movement into and out of said slot for engaging and retaining the firing pin striking device within the launching tube.

5. In a projectile launching device as recited in claim 4, wherein the striking device is attachable to the firing pin end of the launcher tube, and a spring-pressed plunger in said striking device for applying a blow to said firing pin.

6. In a projectile launching device as recited in claim 4, wherein spring means engages the spring finger and urges it within the slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,664,049 3/1928 Sedgley 42--1 1,668,432 5/1928 Thorstenson 42-2 1,681,172 8/1928 Cocho 41 1 1,752,178 3/1930 Huguenin 42--2 2,350,717 6/1944 Blair 42-2 2,353,885 7/1944 Fanger et a1 42-51 2,757,474 8/1956 Williams 421 FOREIGN PATENTS 645,618 7/1962 Canada.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT. Primary Examiner. 

